swaddle

verb

swad·​dle ˈswä-dᵊl 

swaddled; swaddling

ˈswäd-liŋ, 

ˈswä-dᵊl-iŋ 

transitive verb

1

a

: to wrap (an infant) with swaddling clothes

b

: envelop, swathe

legs swaddled in bandages

2

: restrain, restrict

… marriage … swaddled him in a domesticity he came to loathe …

—Nina Auerbach

Examples of swaddle in a Sentence

He swaddled the baby in a blanket.

Recent Examples on the Web

The veteran sideline reporter and member of FOX Sports’ A-Team braved the freezing temperature in Philly by swaddling herself in a capacious coat, which drew comparisons to a diverse array of notorious icons of warmth including Cruella De Ville, Jon Snow, emus, mob wives, pimps, and Ric Flair. —Perrie Samotin, Glamour, 14 Jan. 2026

Posing in a photoshoot on Instagram to promote her new Kylie Cosmetics fragrance Cosmic Intense, Jenner was literally swaddled up in her cocoon-style dress, which appeared to be completely arm-less and feature nothing more than a stretch column of fabric. —Meg Walters, InStyle, 14 Jan. 2026

After breaking them in, my wide, flat feet remained pain-free and felt swaddled in comfort the entire time. —Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 13 Jan. 2026

The weather down here is warm practically year-round, so when temperatures do drop, people tend to stock up on groceries, swaddle themselves in blankets, and hunker down with something warm to eat. —Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 1 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English swadelen, swathelen, probably alteration of swedelen, swethelen, from swethel swaddling band, from Old English; akin to Old English swathian to swathe

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for swaddle

• caudal
• caudle
• dawdle
• model
• twaddle
• waddle
• remodel

Kids Definition

swaddle

verb

swad·​dle ˈswäd-ᵊl 

swaddled; swaddling ˈswäd-liŋ 

-ᵊl-iŋ

: to wrap an infant with swaddling clothes